SALISBURY — The Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission is partnering with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance to conduct a survey of the manufacturing labor market.

“Overall, our goal is to help our local manufacturing businesses have current and up-to-date information about the labor market in order to help make them more competitive,” said EDC President Rod Crider.

“We have been out talking with companies over the past year and a half and two years. … It often comes up in all of our meetings,” Crider said.

The survey has been distributed to more than 200 manufacturers in Rowan County, he said.

It addresses subjects such as which counties the company has manufacturing operations in; the number of employees; entry-level and average wages for production and office jobs; the annual turnover rate; and reasons for turnover.

The survey also highlights whether companies are interested in using career-ready certifications, developing apprenticeship programs, and whether companies offer internships.

According to Crider, the results will allow companies to compare wages in Rowan County and across the Charlotte metro region. The survey will give businesses more information for the hiring process, which in turn will make them more competitive and could lead to higher wages.

The survey has been available for about three weeks. The deadline to respond is today.